Star Wars: The Force Awakens soundtrack video

Before Daisy Ridley was a beloved 21st-century Star Wars character, she was a Star Wars fan. So it’s not hard to imagine her elation when she heard John Williams and his orchestra perform her character’s theme from The Force Awakens for the first time. Better still, there’s video to prove it.

“The Sound of a Galaxy: Inside the Star Wars: The Force Awakens Soundtrack,” a new official short, highlights John Williams’ method of composing the music for the film, as well as offering a look at some of the recording sessions. Among those from the film who stopped by the studio was a thrilled Daisy Ridley, who is shown in the video meeting with Williams in the studio. “Rey, her theme has a musical grammar that is not heroic,” says Williams. “It’s kind of an adventure theme that maybe promises more than resolving itself in the most major, triumphant resolutions. … Rey’s theme needs to illustrate [empathy].”

Ridley’s reaction, presumably to Rey’s theme, is a highlight of the video that showcases how important the musical work being done for the film was not just to those who would inevitably watch it, but to those who were starring in it as well.

Watch Ridley’s reaction below, as well as Williams’ musings on Kylo Ren’s theme and recording new music for a franchise to which he already supplied one of the most iconic movie themes of all time. Listen to Williams’ full score on Spotify.